Testosterone Patch Dosage for Women
For women requiring testosterone supplementation, the recommended dose of testosterone patch is 300 μg/day. 1, 2
Dosage and Administration
- The testosterone transdermal patch (Androderm) is available as a 2 mg/24-hour patch, with typical dosing range of 2-6 mg/day for general use 3
- For women specifically, clinical trials have established 300 μg/day (0.3 mg/day) as the effective dose for treating hypoactive sexual desire disorder 1, 2
- The patch should be applied to dry, intact skin of the back, abdomen, upper thighs, or upper arms 3
- Peak testosterone values occur 6-8 hours after application of the patch 3
- The patch is typically changed twice weekly according to specific product instructions 3
Evidence Supporting This Dosage
- Multiple randomized controlled trials have demonstrated that the 300 μg/day testosterone patch significantly improves sexual function in women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder 1, 2
- In naturally menopausal women, the 300 μg/day dose produced statistically significant improvements in frequency of satisfying sexual activity, sexual desire, and personal distress compared to placebo 1
- In surgically menopausal women, the same dose (300 μg/day) significantly increased satisfying sexual activity and sexual desire while decreasing personal distress 2
- Lower doses (150 μg/day) have shown inconsistent results, with some studies showing no significant difference from placebo 4
Safety Considerations
- The most common adverse events associated with testosterone patch therapy in women are application site reactions and unwanted hair growth (hypertrichosis), which are typically mild 5, 6
- Long-term safety studies (up to 4 years) have not shown clinically meaningful changes in serum chemistry, lipid profile, carbohydrate metabolism, renal/liver function, or coagulation parameters 5
- Monitoring of testosterone levels is recommended at treatment initiation and after any dose change 3
- For patients receiving transdermal preparations, levels can be measured at any time, understanding that testosterone concentrations can vary 3
Special Considerations for Women
- For women with premature ovarian insufficiency requiring hormone replacement therapy, transdermal estradiol is typically the first choice, with testosterone added only when indicated for specific symptoms 3
- When testosterone is added to hormone therapy regimens for women, the 300 μg/day dose has been established as effective in clinical trials 4, 1, 2
- In premenopausal women with reduced libido and low serum testosterone, a transdermal testosterone dose of 90 μL spray (lower than the patch dose) has shown efficacy 6
Monitoring
- Testosterone levels should be measured at treatment initiation and after any dose change 3
- Once stable levels are confirmed, monitoring every 6-12 months is typically sufficient 3
- For women using testosterone patches, aim to maintain testosterone levels within the normal female range to avoid androgenic side effects 3